. >> expected in the audience jean padraski of san francisco and her partner shsms a lesbian cousin of chief justice john roberts. she said i feel confident that society is become more accepting of humanity of same-sex couples and the sim truth we deserve dignity, respect and equality under the law. >> stephen: that is going be one awkward thanksgiving. may i have mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes are are those two things too similar to share a plate and ruin your thanksgiving values. even though they taste great together and are perfect for each other. if anyone needs me, i'll be in the car. it's four four which means the entire future of marriage in this country rests with justice anthony kennedy the man who declared in citizens united that corporations are people with constitutional rights. i pray he doesn't do something rash like declaring homosexuals people with constitutional rights. [cheers and applause] folks, the decision will not be handed down for months so there's no way to know what the court will decide. here to tell me what the court will decide is slate senior editor a

. >> reporter: also expected in the audience on wednesday as a guest of the court, jean padraski and esbian cousin of chief justice john roberts. i team confident that john is wise enough to see that society is becoming more accepting of the humanity of same-sex couples and the simple truth that we deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and equalitity under the law. how much roberts' personal relationships may affect his decision on same-sex marriage is an open question. paul smith has some insight. he's an openly gay attorney who argued one of the landmark cases involving gay rights, striking down laws banning sexual relations between same-sex couples. before that, he was also a clerk for justice lewis powell. >> i think it has some impact on people to know family members and friends who are out and gay and happy and functioning in society. on the other hand, it's not by any means going to be a good prigtor. >> reporter: we'll find out starting tuesday when the court hears the challenge to problem decision 8, california's asame-sex marriage ban. that challenge is brought by cali

. >> reporter: expected in the audience as a guest of the court, jean padraski and her partner. she's a lesbian cousin of chief justice john roberts. in a statement she said quote i feel confident that john is wise enough to see that society is becoming more accepting of the humanity of same-sex couples and the simple truth that we deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and equality under the law. how much roberts' personal relationships might affect his decision on same-sex marriage is an open question. an openly gay attorney has some insight, he argued one of the landmark cases involving gay rights, striking down laws banning sexual relations between same-sex couples. before that, he was also a clerk for justice louis powell. >> i think it has some impact on people to know family members and friends who were out and gay and happy and functioning in society. on the other hand, it's not by any means going to be a good predictor. >> reporter: the lawsuit against prop 8 is brought by california couples, who say they have a right to marry just like heterosexual couples. >> the